Two Completed Mary Mannakee blocks...

OK, that red tulip in the lower left hand quadrant hasn't been appliqued yet, but will be soon!

That pine burr block was a bitch to do. One thing about back-basting is that if the pattern is a bit wonky, so is the applique. I did those tulip leaves as off kilter as Mary did.

By the way, the DAR museum has found and identified a quilt made by Mary Mannakee's sister.

Mary Mannakee Quilt

I started the Mary Mannakee quilt in January. I kitted several of the blocks intending to whip through this quilt in a year. There was a wonderful batik version of this quilt in our last quilt show. The lady who made it informed me recently that it took her 7 years of on again, off again work. This sounds reasonable to me. I finished the frond and ring block today!

Yikes, It's 2011!

Here's what has happened in three years:
1. I'm debt-free! Yes, that includes the mortgage.
2. I've lost and gained back 40 pounds.
3. I'm involved with D.A.R.
4. My MIL got very ill with a horrible disease and died.
5. My Mom bought a house she couldn't afford and needs to be in a nursing home.
6. My daughter got married and only went $20,000.00 over budget.
7. My son finished college but is STILL an unemployed slacker.
8. Frodo died.
9. I finished Lolly-Pop quilt top.
10. We are renovating our house slowly, but surely. Biggest expense: Kick-ass engineered septic system.

Will post pictures of finished quilts soon.

Sewing Machine Gets Used!

Check out the Baby quilt. Yes, it's Kaffe and was a kit on Gloriouspatchwork.com's website. Of course, all those setting triangles along the sides of this quilt had to be re-cut because someone famous, who publishes great patterns and creates gorgeous fabrics, can't get his math right.

Jenome Gem and I had a long weekend together while Bob was playing golf last month. It's amazing how much faster the machine is but I still prefer hand piecing. Kaffe's shot cotton fabrics are not nearly as much fun to sew together as they are to applique.

Lollypop Trees

Obsessing over Kim McLean's choice of fussy cut Kaffe's is evident in this block.
That center of the flower bugs me, though. It may have to be picked out. Perhaps, after another few blocks are finished. The 'trunk' is one of Kaffe's shot cottons. It appliques like a dream.

Lollypop Trees..

How cool is this quilt? Barb and I decided to order the patterns after
Barb saw it in person at the Asheville Kaffe lecture in October. We're being a bit obsessive-blowing up the individual blocks, matching the fabric exactly, going to extremes to acquire out-of-print fabric. It's been sooo much fun!

We're trying to do two blocks a month since we have a ton of other projects going at the same time. In December we'll only do one, though, because our families expect us to spend time with them.

My Kaffe stash fairly extensive. There was still some real hesitancy on my part to share with my friend, Barb, ... even though she was sharing with me!

Ha, ha. I'm such a selfish bitch!

I found some quilts... in San Francisco!

During my recent trip to San Francisco, my grandmother's younger sister, Aunt Betty, pulled out these cool quilts made by her mother, Annie Laurie Clapp Harrell (aka.Mammie). They are in perfect condition, too!! Mammie made these from kits during the 1950's and had them quilted by an unknown woman.



Red and Green Wreath Applique




Pinwheel or Love in a Tangle



Cornucopia Applique